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Happy Together

Wong Kar-Wai (1997)

92min

15 Certificate

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Review

Our Score

by David Parkinson

Director Wong Kar-Wai's reputation rests on his genius for combining audacious imagery with deceptively humane stories. But this adaptation of Manuel Puig's novel, The Buenos Aires Affair, is his least coherent or convincing film. The relationship between Leslie Cheung and Tony Leung, Hong Kong lovers on holiday in Argentina, is so destructive (their conversations are too accusatory and their actions overly selfish) that it's hard to empathise with either character. The switches from monochrome to colour are neatly judged and Wong's use of glowing shades and reflective surfaces is exemplary, but, ultimately, too much is sacrificed to the director's stylistic preoccupations.

Summary

A Chinese couple go their separate ways while seeking adventure in Argentina, and struggle to survive in a foreign land - but their broken lives look set to be repaired by the unexpected arrival of another traveller from their homeland. Drama from director Wong Kar-Wei, starring Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung and Chang Chen.In Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish.

Cast & Crew

Ho Po-WingLeslie Cheung

Lai Yiu-FaiTony Leung (2)

ChangChang Chen

DirectorWong Kar-Wai

Other Information

Language: Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin +subtitles
Colour and Black and WhiteGuidance: Contains swearing, sex scenes and nudity
Available on: Available on video and DVD